PAUL Nicholls won five of the nine races on the outstanding Ascot card and another to underline his Grade 1 credentials, albeit at Grade 2 level, was King George winner Clan Des Obeaux in the Betfair Deman Chase.

It was a pity only four lined up and the race effectively turned into a match as Nico de Boinville did everything he could in front on Terrefort with Cobden shadowing him on the 2/5 favourite.

Delaying his challenge to two out, where Clan Des Obeaux was still on the bridle, Cobden sent him on at the last and went 11 lengths clear, with Ballyhill and Thomas Patrick failing to make any impression from start to finish. It was a bloodless victory but Terrefort has plenty of ability and to shrug him aside like this means the winner will have to be taken very seriously when it comes to the Magners Gold Cup.

“It’s a big relief but he was awesome there and is learning all the time,” Nicholls said. “He’s a young, improving horse and today he’s shown he’s a real professional. I can’t wait to go to Cheltenham with a massive chance.”

Presenting Percy still heads most Gold Cup lists at around 7/2. There was some 6/1 about Clan Des Obeaux after the race but most firms are nearer 5/1 with some as short as 9/2.

CON BRIO

Bryony Frost is near the top of many punters’ Saturday lists of jockeys to follow, but Paul Nicholls does not have many 25/1 winners and the price about Brio Conti may have saved the bookmakers in the Ascot Supports Berkshire Community Foundation Handicap Hurdle over nearly two and a half miles.

The winner had been absent for well over a year when pulled up at Sandown a fortnight previously.

He was a very different proposition here, coming from well off the pace to lead at the last and hold Honest Vic by a head in a driving finish. Ballyandy did well under 11st 12lb in third.

Nicholls was pleasantly surprised, having told part-owner John Hales not to have a bet, but Brio Conti had Aintree Grade 1 form in the book from 2017 and came right back to something like his best for a team which cannot go wrong at present.

The other two Ascot Nicholls winners were ridden by Cobden, taking his overall tally to four.

The 8/1 chance Worthy Farm was kept wide in the near three-mile handicap hurdle and appeared to be lobbing along turning for home. He idled in front, however, and had to be driven right out to repel Trixster by half a length.

Cobden produced a similar effort on favourite Silver Forever in the mares’ bumper, keeping her going well to hold Nick Gifford’s rank outsider Mystic Dreamer in a tight finish.